THE Chevrons have made three changes ahead of the four-day match against South Africa set for Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, in Sussex, England starting on Tuesday. 

South Africa are using the unofficial Test match, a first-class game, as preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia starting on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. 

In a team announced on Saturday evening, from players that were part of the England test match, the Chevrons team will be without all-rounder Sikandar Raza, bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.

Muzarabani is in India for the Indian Premier League (IPL) where his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side reached the final of world’s most prestigious franchise league, their first since 2016.

Ngarava picked up an injury in the historic Test against England. 

They have been replaced by Tanunurwa Makoni, Vincent Masekesa and Alex Falao, all rewarded for their impressive domestic and international form.

Makoni, a top-order batter with two Test caps, had a prolific season in the Logan Cup, where he notched up two centuries and three fifties, ranking among the tournament’s top four batters.

Leg-spinner Masekesa, fresh off a five-wicket haul on Test debut in Bangladesh last month, was the leading bowler in the Logan Cup, reaffirming his credentials as one of Zimbabwe’s most promising spin options.

Completing the trio is Alex Falao, a 21-year-old fast bowler who is yet to make his international debut, but impressed with both the Zimbabwe ‘A’ side and in domestic cricket, where he finished among the top five wicket-takers in the Logan ?up. 

The Chevrons team will be led by veteran Craig Ervine. 

With the Proteas using this match as part of their preparations for the WTC final, for Zimbabwe, the warm-up encounter – to be played behind closed doors – also acts as a dress rehearsal ahead of their two-match Test series at home against South Africa, slated for June and July in Bulawayo.

Meanwhile, ZC announced that a Zimbabwe Women’s High Performance Centre (HPC) squad will represent the country at the upcoming Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament, set to run from June 3 to 14 June in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Zimbabwe Women’s HPC team will compete in the event alongside eight national women’s sides from Brazil, Cameroon, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda.

The 15-member squad, coached by Stephen Mangongo, blends youthful promise with seasoned experience.

Among the rising stars to watch are all-rounder Kelly Ndiraya, batter Natasha Mthomba, off-spinner Lindokuhle Mabhera and wicketkeeper Vimbai Mutingwindu.

To complement the youthful core, six senior internationals have been named in the squad to lend their experience and leadership: Nomvelo Sibanda, who will captain the side, Christabel Chatonzwa, Loreen Tshuma, Nyasha Gwanzura, Chiedza Dhururu and Loryn Phiri.

The team’s participation in the Kwibuka tournament forms part of ZC’s long-term strategy to build depth in the women’s game, especially as Zimbabwe Women prepare to debut in the ICC Women’s Championship later this year.

Mangongo has been leading high-performance camps in Bulawayo, focused on improving players’ fitness and sharpening their skills for elite-level competition.

The Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament was launched in 2014 and is held annually.

A youthful Zimbabwe “A” Women’s side finished as runners-up last year.

Zimbabwe squad for South Africa 

warm-up match

Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Alex Falao, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.

Zimbabwe Women’s HPC squad for Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament

Nomvelo Sibanda (captain), Christabel Chatonzwa, Cathrine Chitombo, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Nokutenda Makaniwa, Mitchel Mavunga, Salem Museka, Natasha Mthomba, Passionate Munorwei, Vimbai Mutingwindu, Kelly Ndiraya, Loryn Phiri, Loreen Tshuma